The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster

I had read Myriam Chancy's novel about the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and its effects on the people there. In much of that book, there was description of the NGO's from many countries coming to help, but with no coordination. This is what led me to "The Big Truck" non-fiction book. Jonathan Katz was there both shortly before the earthquake and for two years after. His description verifies the problems associated with NGOs wanting to help, but without the necessary coordination that was needed. This book could be a lesson for the future--for developed nations to find ways to use local government in areas of disaster, but with supervision re: the financial aspects of re-buildings. This book is a good read, although very depressing in terms of money not providing the kind of help that is needed.

I love a true story. And this story is sad but true. I love the descriptions in this book and how he manages to capture the essence of Haiti. The beginning offers a historical and political background which is quite insightful. This book cannot be used to determine responses for other natural disasters, I fear, for the situation in Haiti seemed to be unique in many ways.I spent over 2 years based in Haiti - before, during and after the earthquake. I met Jonathan Katz on several occasions before the earthquake, and we spoke about his reporting in Haiti so far and his past experience reporting in the Middle East, where I had also previously worked. We never met after.He said many things in this book that I felt when I was there and never found the way to put it into words. There was a line about what it is like to have loved Haiti, that by loving Haiti you are left bruised... The sorrow that I had felt while reading it choked up in my throat and came out as I cry when I read that.So often people ask me about Haiti - what it was like, what the relief efforts have accomplished, what it is like now. Now I just tell them to read this book if they truly want to know.

The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster by Jonathan M. KatzKatz--an AP reporter stationed in Haiti from 2007-2012--describes the January 12, 2010, earthquake and its political, economic, and health consequences. The book is fast-paced, informative, shocking, and sobering.Katz says in the introduction that he set out to write a book that answered two questions: How did a serious but not necessarily devastating earthquake turn out to be one of the worst natural disasters in the Western Hemisphere? Why after three years and all the money and help sent is Haiti such a mess?Katz begins with a vivid account of the actual earthquake--as he and his neighbors experienced it--and then describes in detail the days, months, and years after it--weaving in explanations of Haitian history, politics and political realties, culture and economics, various approaches to help Haiti (including the 2009 Collier Report and the work of a wide range of NGOs). The book ends with a complicated but thorough and entertaining explanation of the 2010-11 Haitian Presidential election and--most chilling--the truth about the 2011 cholera epidemic, a truth that the UN still does not own up to.

The author, Jonathan M. Katz, has so many rave reviews that it is hard to see how my own could be anything other than redundant. I have read quite a few books about foreign Aid and have written my own as well. This is a long book on a subject with which I am familiar but I read it to the end with interest, learning quite a lot. The author approaches his subject from several different angles and builds up layers of evidence and history. He has a good understanding of how overpopulation and poverty work, and does not neglect to acquaint readers with the appalling history of Haiti which underlies its problems now. He is at pains to let us know that the riots and disorder traditionally feared post-disasters are quite rare. The book ends, however, with an analysis of how the islanders panicked after cholera broke out and no-one investigated or tried to stop its source, despite and because obvious links to a UN foreign aid camp, This really is a stunning and exceptional piece of work and should be on school curricula everywhere in the 'developed world'.

Not what I was expecting. This book was required for a global health class. I put off reading it for a long time because I'd figured it'd be boring, political drivel. It wasn't. It's told like a story, presented with real facts and history, and it does a great job a sticking to facts and letting one judge the issues themselves. I loved all of the history of the country and the personal stories shared within the pages. The pictures were a bonus. I'm glad I purchased this book. To list anything negative would be that some illustrative points are a bit over the top and sometimes the author seems to be throwing around too many adjectives, perhaps with the purpose of making it more interesting. It's mostly effective, sometimes silly. Wasn't a deal breaker for me.

As a medical missionary to Haiti that began some six years before the earthquake, I am incredibly impressed with the clarity of this factual book. Issues I just barely understood came to light. The detail can only be described as exquisite. The fact that Mr. Katz could remember the events of his traumatic earthquake experience is of benefit to the reader. One of the best books I've read on Haiti in 2010 going forward. As a curator of 1,000's of articles written on Haiti in this decade, this book provides a tight, accurate, and balanced approach. Mr. Katz presents himself as a valuable insider. The UN's responsibility for the September, 2010 outbreak of Cholera is still being investigated. One should continue to follow the evidence presented by justice bringers such as IJDH. I have recommended this book to many who want to learn about Haiti. The history of Haiti is quite well done and was my favorite section of this excellent book

This was the third book I bought on Haiti (the other ones being Paul Farmer's "Haiti" and "killing with kindness") and it was by far the best. if you want a good explanation of what happened in Haiti after the earthquake this is as good as it gets. The author is a journalist who survived the earthquake so he gives a first-hand account of the situtation, the difficulties and the mentalities involved. He did a thorough research on the subject and answers questions such as: is the haitian government really corrupt or were donors too quick to promise and too slow to give? Where did the aid money all go? (apparently 93% of aid money went back to the UN or to NGOs for personnel and supplies needs). Why is land ownership so difficult to figure out in Haiti? Why does it seem that nothing gets done? How do haitians feel about the situtation? Informative, insightful and fullfilling. Great read

Hait was the pooorest country in the Western hemisphere even before the devastating earthquake of January 2010. This is an excellent account of the challenges faced by Haitians, both before and after the earthquake, and there are many lessons the international humanitarian aid community can learn from the author's experiences. It is very well written, and even has some love interest!

Very interesting and well documented book, my only regret is not knowing exactly which part is fact and which is fiction as it is a romanced account of the earthquake aftermath. Good book to grasp what happened though.

It was too much about him and I was expecting more on what wrong with aid in haiti. Shame because it's nicely written and it's such an interesting topic.

LOVE IT. Only a few pages in but it's a brilliant book capable of conveying SO much